Whether you are an English literature student, an aspiring major, or just enjoy reading novels that are considered essential, some books are essential in studying literature. These are not just tales; these are cultural cornerstones linked to human psychology, social issues, and universal themes.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at ten must-read novels that are the foundations of literature—telling you about what every English major should read. As stories about life, history, and storytelling itself, these titles have something profound to impart.
Novels like these earn exalted positions within the literary canon, even as they instill an awareness of the humanities and the arts. When it comes to the literary journey and the pursuit of all that literary wisdom, if there exists a canon of the essential must-read novels for students of literature, there are indeed ten novels right here on the list! Now, let us look for the impulse that makes those novels essential.
Top 10 Must-Read Novels in English Literature
1. Pride And Prejudice: Jane Austen
Genre: Social novel, romantic fiction
Published: 1813
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is our first must-read novel for English literature students, offering timeless insights into class, love, and societal expectations. Austen’s work is a foundational novel in English literature for its skillful blend of satire and romance, rendering a critical lens on societal norms.
Jane Austen is practically a rite of passage on the part of English majors, and Pride and Prejudice is, without a doubt, her most well-known work. It is more than a love story; it is a searing social commentary on the societal mores and class systems of early 19th-century England. It is an important book for any English literature student because of the acerbic nature of Austen.
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is probably her most popular novel. Set in the Regency period, it is all about class versus love. Give oneself the favour of being in the mind of Elizabeth Bennet, juggling society and heart at the same time. Only Austen can serve up the biting wit and keen observations on the human condition that this novel has for the ages.
2. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Genre: Adventure, Allegory
Published: 1851
Our second recommendation is “Moby Dick,” a novel that you must read for its rich symbolism and exploration of obsession and revenge.
Moby-Dick challenges readers to think deeply, making it a core text for literature studies due to its complexity and thematic depth.
No list of required English lit would be legit without Melville’s elephantine masterwork. A monumental tale, “Moby-Dick” blends philosophical rumination with naturalistic observation and an epic struggle between man and nature.
Moby-Dick depicts the enormity of obsession, revenge, and nature in an ambitious fashion. Moby-Dick: A tale of revenge and sea, serving as explored as a dive into the murky deeps of human fixation (and the folly of hubris). Diane Williams Herman Melville Let Nathaniel Philbrick tell the story, or else you will find your own white whale far too troublesome to chase. One that every English major, of course, is in desperate need of reflecting on — ever-so-very symbolic, and packed with philosophical substance to dissect — an absolute must-read.
3. 1984 by George Orwell
Genres: Dystopian, Political Fiction
Published: 1949
Our third must-read novel is “1984” by George Orwell, a compelling cautionary tale about totalitarianism and the power of language. This influential novel examines themes of power, control, and truth, which are as relevant today as when it was written.
George Orwell’s foreboding vision of a totalitarian future has been a touchstone of 20th-century literature. 1984 should be required reading for anyone studying English literature, for a strong example of what written language, propaganda, and state power can do to the individual.
It is the battle with the opposite forces of surveillance, freedom, and identity, as witnessed by its main character, Winston Smith, that makes 1984 significant. A very relevant discussion, as Orwell himself put it, this book makes you question that ever so prevalent tradeoff—security for freedom.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Type: Southern Gothic, Coming-of-Age
Published: 1960
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee ranks third among novels everyone must read, tackling profound themes of racial injustice and moral growth. A core novel in English literature, this book’s examination of ethics and human rights makes it indispensable for literature students.
Harper Lee’s timeless classic is a monument to moral courage and the power of the imagination. Racial injustice is covered through the windows of a child in the words of this novel, which is both devastating and enlightening. Set in the 1930s Alabama, this novel introduces the theme of racial prejudice and the unusual courage it takes to challenge an unjust system through the eyes of young Scout Finch. It holds vital lessons for empathy and moral strength, which makes it a cornerstone of English literature studies.
5. The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Tragedy
Published: 1925
“The Great Gatsby” is one of the must-read novels in English literature that captures the essence of the American Dream and the decadence of the Jazz Age. The essence of the Jazz Age comes from Fitzgerald’s exploration of the American Dream and its disillusionment. In the fanciful character of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald captures the American Dream in its keenest power and its most tragic failures.
Gatsby is not only a treasure trove of beautiful prose but also of lessons in unreliable narration and symbolism. The line between observer and participant—performed by Nick Carraway himself—invites fascinating questions about perspective and truth in storytelling.
6. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Genre: Dystopia & Science Fiction novel
Published: 1932
“Brave New World” is the sixth among the 10 must-read novels for literature students, offering a critical look at utopian ideals and societal control. This foundational novel is critical for literature students, probing into questions of humanity and ethics in a technologically advanced society.
An authoritarian, technophile, and utterly conformist society is what Brave New World depicts waiting for the future—and the three are inseparable from fate. As literature students must know, it is the essential companion to Orwell’s 1984. It prompts the readers to reflect on what we sacrifice to stay comfortable and what it means to be a human. An indispensable text in English literature that challenges us to interrogate progress and its repercussions.
7. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Genre: Psychological Fiction
Published: 1866
“Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky is the seventh must-read classic on our list. It delves deep into the psychological turmoil of its protagonist, offering profound insights into guilt and redemption. It is an iconic literature piece for English majors due to its profound insights into human psychology and morality. It is the struggle of a young man between his moral conscience, his idea of the extraordinary man theory, and the justification of the murder that pushes him through the story.
But in any case, Dostoevsky dives deep into the mind of Raskolnikov, a man divided between guilt and the rightness of his cause, in Crime and Punishment. Crime and Punishment is a cornerstone work of philosophical literature due to Dostoevsky’s exploration of guilt, redemption, and the human psyche. Raskolnikov is a complex character with a multi-faceted psychological depth that is perfect for analysis. The fact that readers see Raskolnikov tortured over murder opens the door to a moral quandary regarding justice versus your image of yourself. Another great choice for budding English majors, the novel mixes psychological elements with a plot that draws the readers in.
8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Genre: Gothic Romance, Coming of Age
Published: 1847
The eighth on our list is “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, a classic novel exploring identity, morality, and social class themes. This novel’s blend of gothic and romantic elements with strong feminist themes is essential for a well-rounded literary education. The combination of Gothic and romance infused with staunch feminist sentiment is a crucial piece of literature that should comprise the canon.
A tale of resilience, independence, and love, Jane Eyre tells the story of a young orphan’s journey to self-respect and autonomy. It is an essential feminist text because of Jane Eyre’s journey away from suppression of self and into the depths of independence. Spanning social criticism, gender, and moral development means that Brontë belongs on any English list.
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Genre: Magical Realism
Published: 1967
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez is the ninth must-read novel on our list. It weaves a rich tapestry of magical realism and history, making it an essential work for understanding Latin American literature.
This novel is crucial for English majors as it introduces the magical realism genre, blending reality with fantastical elements to explore human nature and history.
It serves an important role in the genre as an introduction to the complicated and nuanced genre of magical realism that uses the mixture of reality with the unreal and, in some sense, the fantastical to explore who we are as humans and what we have done throughout history.
García Márquez’s Buendía family chronicle is a magical realism gem. Across generations, the novel delves into themes of destiny, history, and the repeated cycles of life. Its novelistic, surreal narrative style and a myriad of symbolic themes will be relished by literature students, allowing for endless fodder for interpretations and conversations.
10. Beloved by Toni Morrison
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
Published: 1987
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison is a novel everyone must read, as it powerfully addresses themes of memory and trauma, offering a poignant exploration of the African American experience. This critical novel for literature students provides a powerful narrative on memory and trauma, making it a staple in English literature studies.
Beloved tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave, coming to terms with her past as we follow her journey through the haunting legacy of slavery. Morrison’s poignant novel focuses on trauma, memory, and identity. For new literature majors, Beloved provides a visceral glimpse into the history of Black Americans and how America perpetuates its shadow over identity.
In Conclusion
These novels provide varied styles, critical themes, and narrative techniques. These classics for English majors are the best novels for literature students—from the social satire of Pride and Prejudice to the psychological depths of Crime and Punishment. They challenge the reader to think hard, to question the status quo, and to delve into the human condition.
Which of these novels speaks to you? Do you see any themes in today’s world reflected in us? Reading these classics is not an exercise of reading that has to be done; it is an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into literature and the world. So, read and allow these stories to expand your horizons and offer you a greater depth of love for literature! Share your insights in the comments section if you’ve read them all.
